Assessment of Skin Cancer and Sun Knowledge Levels and Sun Protection Behaviors among Karadeniz Technical University Students of Medical Faculty

Year 2025, Volume: 17 Issue: 3, 287 - 294, 29.10.2025

Kübra Güner Karaca , Elif Ateş

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to assess the knowledge levels of Karadeniz Technical University (KTU) Medical Faculty students regarding skin cancer, sun exposure, and sun protection behaviors.
Method: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 826 volunteer students at KTU Faculty of Medicine between October and December 2024. Data was collected using Sociodemographic Information Form, the Skin Cancer and Sun Knowledge Scale (SCSKS) and the Sun Protection Behavior Scale (SPBS). The level of statistical significance was accepted as p<0.05.
Results: The median age of the students in the study was 22.00 (IQR 25-75: 19.00-23.00), 62.1% female and 37.9% male. Total median score of SCSKS was 17.00 (IQR 25-75: 15.00-19.00) and total median score of SPBS was 25.00 (IQR 25-75: 19.00-21.00). The most preferred sun protection behavior was avoiding the sun and using sunscreen, while wearing a hat was the least used. Most of the sunscreen users applied it only to their faces. Female students (SCSKS:p<0.001; SPBS:p<0.001), fair-skinned individuals (SCSKS: p<0.001; SPBS: p=0.002), and those with nevi (SCSKS: p=0.002; SPBS: p<0.001) scored significantly higher on both scales compared to others. Eye color (SCSKS: p=0.529; SPBS: p=0.140), history of sunburn (SCSKS: p=0.282; SPBS: p=0.714), family history of skin cancer (SCSKS: p=0.786; SPBS: p=0.250) and solarium use (SCSKS: p=0.602; SPBS: p=0.447) were not associated with significant differences between groups. A weak positive correlation was found between SCSKS and SPBS (r=0.256, p<0.001).
Conclusions: The study concludes that students with certain skin cancer risk factors did not show different knowledge or behaviors, indicating the need for increased awareness.

Keywords

Medical students , Skin cancer , Sun protection , Behavior

Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Öğrencilerinin Deri Kanseri ve Güneş Bilgi Düzeyleri ile Güneşten Korunma Davranışlarının Değerlendirilmesi

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışma, Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi (KTÜ) Tıp Fakültesi öğrencilerinin deri kanseri, güneşe maruz kalma ve güneşten korunma davranışlarına ilişkin bilgi düzeylerini değerlendirmeyi amaçlamaktadır.
Yöntem: Çalışma Ekim-Aralık 2024 tarihleri arasında KTÜ Tıp Fakültesindeki 826 gönüllü öğrenci ile kesitsel ve analitik bir çalışma olarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Veriler, Sosyodemografik Bilgi Formu, Deri Kanseri ve Güneş Bilgi Ölçeği (DKGBÖ) ve Güneşten Korunma Davranışı Ölçeği (GKDÖ) kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Verilerin analizinde SPSS 26.0 paket programı kullanılmıştır. İstatistiksel anlamlılık düzeyi p<0,05 olarak kabul edilmiştir.
Bulgular: Çalışmadaki öğrencilerin medyan yaşı 22,00 (IQR 25-75: 19,00-23,00) olup, %62,1’i kadın, %37,9’u erkektir. DKGBÖ toplam ortanca puanı 17,00 (IQR 25-75: 15,00-19,00), GKDÖ toplam ortanca puanı ise 25,00 (IQR 25-75: 19,00-21,00) olarak bulunmuştur. En sık tercih edilen güneşten korunma davranışı güneşten kaçınmak ve güneş kremi kullanmak iken, en az tercih edilen davranış şapka kullanımıdır. Güneş kremi kullananların çoğunluğu yalnızca yüzlerine uygulama yapmıştır. Kadın öğrenciler (DKGBÖ: p<0,001; GKDÖ: p<0,001), açık tenli olanlar (DKGBÖ: p<0,001; GKDÖ: p=0,002) ve nevüsü bulunan öğrenciler (DKGBÖ: p=0,002; GKDÖ: p<0,001) her iki ölçekte de diğerlerine göre anlamlı derecede daha yüksek puan almıştır. Göz rengi (DKGBÖ: p=0,529; GKDÖ: p=0,140), güneş yanığı öyküsü (DKGBÖ: p=0,282; GKDÖ: p=0,714), ailede deri kanseri öyküsü (DKGBÖ: p=0,786; GKDÖ: p=0,250) ve solaryum kullanımı (DKGBÖ: p=0,602; GKDÖ: p=0,447) açısından gruplar arasında anlamlı bir fark saptanmamıştır. DKGBÖ ile GKDÖ arasında zayıf pozitif bir korelasyon bulunmuştur (r=0,256, p<0.001).
Sonuç: Çalışma, bazı deri kanseri risk faktörlerine sahip öğrencilerin bilgi ve davranış açısından farklılık göstermediğini, bu nedenle farkındalığın artırılması gerektiğini ortaya koymaktadır.

Keywords

Tıp öğrencileri , Güneşten korunma , Davranış , deri kanseri

References

• 1. Geller AC, Rutsch L, Kenausis K, Selzer P, Zhang Z. Can an hour or two of sun protection education keep the sunburn away? Evaluation of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Sunwise School Program. Environ Health. 2003;2(13):1–9.
• 2. Tang X, Yang T, Yu D, Xiong H, Zhang S. Current insights and future perspectives of ultraviolet radiation (UV) exposure: friends and foes to the skin and beyond the skin. Environ Int. 2024;185:1–15.
• 3. Watson M, Holman DM, Maguire-Eisen M. Ultraviolet radiation exposure and its impact on skin cancer risk. Semin Oncol Nurs. 2016;32(3):241–54.
• 4. World Health Organization. Radiation: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation and skin cancer [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2017 Oct 16 [cited 2024 Oct 13]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/radiation-ultraviolet-(uv)-radiation-and-skin-cancer
• 5. International Agency for Research on Cancer. Skin Cancer [Internet]. Lyon (FR): International Agency for Research on Cancer; World Health Organization; 2024 [cited 2025 Apr 24]. Available from: https://www.iarc.who.int/cancer-type/skin-cancer/
• 6. Türkyılmaz M, Oruç Hamavioğlu Eİ, Dündar S, Kavak Ergün A, Sevinç A, Tütüncü S. Türkiye Kanser İstatistikleri 2018. Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Sağlık Bakanlığı, Halk Sağlığı Genel Müdürlüğü. Ankara; 2022 [cited 2025 Apr 24]. Available from: https://hsgm.saglik.gov.tr/depo/birimler/kanser-db/Dokumanlar/Istatistikler/Kanser_Rapor_2018.pdf
• 7. Basra MK, Shahrukh M. Burden of skin diseases. Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res. 2009;9(3):271–83.
• 8. Yeager DG, Lim HW. What’s new in photoprotection: a review of new concepts and controversies. Dermatol Clin. 2019;37(2):149–57.
• 9. Sümen A, Öncel S. Knowledge levels of Kindergarten teachers about skin cancer, sun protection behaviors, and affecting factors. J Cancer Educ. 2022;37(1):210–6.
• 10. Day AK, Wilson C, Roberts RM, Hutchinson AD. The skin cancer and sun knowledge (SCSK) scale: validity, reliability, and relationship to sun-related behaviors among young western adults. Health Educ Behav. 2014;41(4):440–8.
• 11. Haney MO, Bahar Z, Beser A, Arkan G, Cengiz B. Psychometric testing of the Turkish version of the skin cancer and sun knowledge scale in nursing students. J Cancer Educ. 2018;33(1):21–8.
• 12. Weinstock MA, Rossi JS, Redding CA, Maddock JE, Cottrill SD. Sun protection behaviors and stages of change for the primary prevention of skin cancers among beachgoers in southeastern New England. Ann Behav Med. 2000;22(4):286–93.
• 13. Aygun O, Ergun A. Validity and reliability of sun protection behavior scale among Turkish adolescent population. Asian Nurs Res. 2015;9(3):235–42.
• 14. Hobbs C, Nahar VK, Ford MA, Bass MA, Brodell RT. Skin cancer knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors in collegiate athletes. J Skin Cancer. 2014;2014:1–7.
• 15. Gamsizkan M, Yilmaz I, Buyukbabani N, Demirkesen C, Demiriz M, Dikicioglu Cetin E, et al. A retrospective multicenter evaluation of cutaneous melanomas in Turkey. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2014;15(23):10451–6.
• 16. Kartal M, Karakaş N. Skin cancer and solar knowledge level of seasonal agricultural women workers. Gevher Nesibe J Med Health Sci. 2022;7(18):42–8.
• 17. Çelik A, Öztürk A. Investigating the knowledge levels about skin cancer and sun health of individuals aged 18 and over: a descriptive study. Ordu Univ J Nurs Stud. 2024;7(1):29–37.
• 18. Altunkürek ŞZ, Kaya E. The effect of sun protection self-efficacy on sun protection behavior of 8th grade students in a middle school in Ankara. Univ Health Sci J Nurs. 2020;2(3):137–44.
• 19. Tezel Kahraman A, Baran Aksakal FN, Uğraş Dikmen A, Büyükdemirci E, Güven A. Ankara’da bazı aile sağlığı merkezlerine başvuran 15 yaş üzeri kişilerin güneş ışınları ve deri kanseri hakkında bilgi düzeyleri ve güneş ışınlarından korunma durumları. Celal Bayar Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi. 2018;5(3):138–44.
• 20. İlter N, Öztaş M, Adışen E, Gürer M, Keseroğlu Ö, Ünal S, et al. Evaluation of sun protection habits and melanocytic nevi of population screened in a shopping mall in Ankara. Turkderm-Arch Turk Dermatol Venerol. 2009;43(4):155–9.
• 21. Wunderlich K, Suppa M, Gandini S, Lipski J, White JM, Del Marmol V. Risk factors and innovations in risk assessment for melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Cancers (Basel). 2024;16(5):1–24.
• 22. Terzi S, Başak PY, Erturan I. Evaluation of knowledge, attitude, and behavior about harmful effects of the sun and sun protection among patients attending an outpatient clinic. Turkderm-Arch Turk Dermatol Venerol. 2017;51(1):2–6.
• 23. Karlsson O, Hagberg O, Nielsen K, Paoli J, Ingvar Å. Difference in sun exposure habits between individuals with high and low risk of skin cancer. Dermatol Pract Concept. 2021;11(4):1–11.
• 24. Shahnam A, Samarawickrema I, Ali S. Sun-protection practices among undergraduates at an Australian University. Australas J Dermatol. 2017;58(2):93–8.
• 25. Görig T, Diehl K, Greinert R, Breitbart EW, Schneider S. Prevalence of sun-protective behaviour and intentional sun tanning in German adolescents and adults: results of a nationwide telephone survey. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018;32(2):225–35.